Nuclear Energy

Just fifteen miles from my home is the Crystal River Nuclear Plant. In 2009 in the process of removing aged steam generators, cracks were discovered in the concrete containment walls. Expensive repairs have been continuing and the plant has not been producing nuclear energy since that time. The steam you see rising is from the fossil fuel portion of the Crystal River Energy Complex.

Ironically, manatees flock to the waters surrounding power plants to stay warm during unusually cold winter months. The view of the power plant is a photo I took from a local fishing pier on the gulf. With the ongoing disaster at the nuclear plant in Japan, I look at the plant near my home with even more trepidation than I did in the past.

I suspect nuclear plants all around the world are checking systems in more detail to make them as safe as they possibly can, but with the unpredictability of mother nature, how safe are they. I can't help but wonder how long concrete exposed to the rigors of nature is expected to last in the case of a disaster.


Now the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory in New Mexico is threatened with fire and officials are monitoring the air for radiation. Earlier this month floods threatened a Nebraska nuclear plant. I made the container the other day, it looks a bit like a cooling tower. So much to ponder in the world today. Tomorrow is the first day of the month, don't forget to say Rabbit, Rabbit first thing in the morning.

Persian Pottery

I just learned there's an exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala of Persian pottery which I hope see today. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Assemblage

Behind the scenes I've been working out the details for assemblages in my flower power series. I'm learning to use all kinds of tools, drills, saws, dremels, and so on. The items used are ones I made or collected. Here's a few I've been working on this past week. The flowers in this one will be stitched on the wood with rusty metal wire like a button to clothing. The piece of wood, pecky cypress, is large, about 18 x 12 inches and thick too. I'll have to have a sturdy hanger for it.


I like the texture variations in this one. I'm hesitant with these since I've never done assemblage before. I have to arrange and rearrange, then then come back in a day or two and rearrange some more. They're bits and pieces of life collected, memories weathered and worn, and the fresh flowers keeping them company. I have an idea to incorporate some of my photographs with these too.


I like the way the wire looks like its reaching for the 'fried eye' lavender flower in this one. Since I don't have the backs on these yet to hang them, I had to lay them flat for a photo. So I took them out on the driveway, the lighting seemed good for photos there. Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.

Between

A flower brick came to mind and I set out to make one, but then you know how it goes. The clay took over. As I made the piece I started to think about modern, perhaps a piece with a retro influence. Gary said it looks Aztec. No, that's not what I want, not what I intended. What do you think?


The handles and feet are chunky, a little over half an inch thick, to give it a bulky look. Chunky feet so they can hold up the box, with handles to complement the feet. The pot is 7 inches tall and 8.25 inches wide and 4 inches deep, including the feet and handles. The box was a rectangle till I added the handles and feet. If it was taller it would have a different look, I might have to try that. I thought about putting some applied deco on the front but then I thought more might be too much. I have no idea how I'll glaze this.

I'm starting to see the benefit of making more than one. I could make one with a half moon handles and feet and then one with triangle handles and feet, cut out similar to this one. Maybe tomorrow. Those jutting vases are starting to call me back again too.


Sorry about the out of focus photos, but I used natural light in my studio. Oh, I almost forgot the title of the post, between. Somehow I always waver between curvy pots and the clean hard lines, a double path in clay. I really can't give either one up, nor do I want to. In my dream this morning I was on a boat which was going around and around I kept turning off the engine, then I realized I was in the middle of a water spout, and thankfully I woke up. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Whatever Works

While I was making the vine maracas (I did make a second one to match the first one) I kept thinking the light green color looks similar to the color of a Fuji apples I used to grow, maybe a bit too pale. So of course I thought about making an apple. Somehow the piece looks more like a pear to me.


Maybe it's an apear. There are so many hybrid fruits, I wonder if there's a cross between an apple and a pear? There is a Chinese pear that's shaped like an apple with an apple texture, but it is a pear and not a cross. I'm thinking of firing this and the maracas without any glaze and I'm wondering if the iron rich clay I'm using will affect the underglaze colors I'm using. After firing I can add a paintable surface treatment, but I'd like to keep the soft look of matt surfaces.

We watched the film Whatever Works, a Woody Allen comedy with some redeemable qualities. I couldn't help but see a bit of myself in some of the ideologies of the main character such as religion, relationships, and the randomness of life. Being starved from seeing movies for so many years, lately we are easily entertained with DVD selections from our local library. I just watched a leader for Midnight in Paris and am curious about that film and who doesn't like the romantic notion of Paris.

We finally got some long awaited rain, an inch and three quarters. We set up a rain gauge to check the amount of rain we get. I guess we're in our rainy pattern now, thankfully most fire danger is over here for now. Not so for other locations I've been reading about in Arizona and New Mexico, I hate to think about the havoc mother nature is creating in so many places this year, floods, fires, earthquakes and so much more. My heart goes out to so many people. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Subcultures of America

Lizard Eating a Wasp

Did you know there are a number of subcultures in America today. These subcultures are making ends meet in creative ways. Some have garage sales and sell what they can to help pay for food, utilities and other necessities of life. They sell items from their home which they once used, but no longer need. Some peruse trash set out in their neighborhoods to see if they might find something for free to sell. Others read free ads to see what they might acquire to fix up and sell.

Baby Preying Mantis

There's also folks picking up items which can be sold at recycle centers for a small profit; they'll come and haul items for free such as old or non running cars, appliances, steel, aluminum, paper, glass and more. Then there are folks who regularly purchase items at garage sales for their own use, they do their shopping at garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores rather than purchasing something new from a retail store. There are others who purchase items and take them back to their own residence, perhaps fix them, or refurbish them, and resell them. Then there are folks who purchase items and take them to flea markets and sell them. There are still other folks who are dealers who frequent garage sales and flea markets and low ball the price of items so they can take those items back to their shops and make a profit.

Tortoise Crossing Our Street

At our garage sale a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet many folks in these subcultures and to learn the lay of the land so to speak. The folks who purchase items for themselves try to get the price lower but will purchase at your price if they really need it. Those purchasing items to sell at flea markets are looking for the high end merchandise such as guns, fishing gear, tools, antiques, jewelry, etc. and quickly leave if they don't find anything they can resell. Then there are the dealers who have a store front where they hope to sell your $10 diamond ring for $100. The dealers make no bones about trying to get you to sell something for practically nothing.


From what I experienced first hand too many times, the dealers offer the least for an item and they are the rudest of all the buyers. I really hate to stereotype but it has held true in most instances. Sad to say the rudest folks either don't care or don't know they are rude. Gary was selling a flashing traffic light for $70 and a woman offered $40. Gary said no, it was $70 firm. The woman kept saying $40 every few minutes not even looking at Gary as she and her friend chatted. She didn't say "will you take $40, just $40 with a sneer. Finally Gary said he wasn't selling it at all, that he liked it and was keeping it. She still kept calling out $40 to him walking out the driveway as she talked to her friend. Why haven't I made any ceramic hand sculptures with the middle finger extended? I could have given them wrapped up as a free gift to a chosen few.


The second day of our garage sale we decided to sell a few items which were left (except more valuable items we squirreled away in the garage) for a dollar. There were still folks who tried to get items for less; there were folks who had to think about spending even a dollar on an item and folks who were incredulous at something seemingly so valuable being sold for a dollar. Thank goodness for garage sale shoppers and for the incredulous folks in the subcultures of America. Thanks for all your comments.

Maraca with Vines

Really it's not my fault this maraca with vines has a phallic look to it. What do you think, does it? I didn't intend it that way. I was trying to make another maraca or ceramic rattle with a more elongated shape rather than the two round ones I made in the previous post. The green is kind of an apple green color which I like. This one doesn't stand up because I made the bottom (which is the top) more rounded.


This took me three hours to make. I know because Gary went to the homeowners meeting at 6:30 pm and I stayed home and finished at 9:30 pm. First I pinched out the round portion and set it aside. Then I pinched the handle and set it aside. Then I made the little clay balls for the inside. Then I wrapped each pea sized clay ball in a paper towel and tried to hasten their drying time. Then I placed the balls inside and attached the handle to the bowl. Then I painted three coats of light green slip on the whole piece. After the slip dried I painted the vines and leaves in an olive green slip. After the stems and leaves dried I scratched through to make the veins in the vine and leaves.


Then Gary came home and came in the studio to see what I was making. He said I really like the light green color, but you know you need two. Two? He said yes, maracas are played in pairs. I did have fun making it and it was very satisfying scratching through to the clay body and seeing the vines and leaves take on more definition. Perhaps the cardinal on the clothesline, photo taken through my studio window, will spur me on to make another maraca just like this one tomorrow. Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.

Ceramic Rattle or Maraca

Here are the ceramic rattles I made the last couple of days. I made these in the shape of a wood maraca. I just read there is evidence that native Colombians may have used ceramic maracas in 1500. I put larger clay beads inside each one in hopes of deepening the sound. After the rattles are fired the rattle is held by the handle and shaken to produce a sound from the ceramic beads rotating around inside the hollow bowl.


I put a piece of paper towel inside to keep the beads from sticking to the floor of the bowl. I also put a hole at the end of the handle to let the air and burnt debris escape. After I put the two pinch parts together I carved patterns to decorate the pieces. I plan on leaving these natural without any glaze.


These two rattle are about 6.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide at the widest point. I seem to do better making something the first time; the second one sagged a bit where I joined the top and bottom. I plan to make other rattles in different shapes and covered with various colors of slip and sgraffito or scratch through them to make the design.


I can't wait to fire these to see what tone they'll make. Thanks for reading and for all your comments and encouragement.

Tongue Drum

Many years ago, more than ten, I was working as a traveling photographer and happened to be in Nevada City, California. Nevada City is a famous gold rush town of the West with a rich history. The main street is filled with rustic authentic buildings from that era and tourist shops to complement that history.

On a lunch break I happened into a gift store which carried, among other items, rhythm instruments from around the world. I came upon a wonderfully crafted wooden percussion instrument where the sound emanated by tapping a cloth covered mallet on the wood top. I was immediately drawn to the rhythmic and melodious sound. I thought about purchasing the instrument, however, money was tight so I decided against it. I went back to work and briefly forgot about the instrument.


When I returned home I told Gary about the instrument and he said I should have bought it. As life often goes the opportunity never arose for me to go back and get the instrument nor find another one to purchase. As the years went by I thought about that instrument quite a few times, trying to remember the sound it made. Then the other night we borrowed the film The Visitor from the library. One of the characters played a drum and I was again reminded of that instrument from so long ago. Curiously I never knew what type of instrument it was. Today I decided to try to find out. I did a search for percussion instruments but couldn't find it. Then I did a search for wood percussion instrument played with a mallet, and I found it. It's called a tongue drum.



One way or another I'm going to find a way to afford the purchase of a tongue drum and learn how to play it. I'm even wondering if I can make a tongue drum out of clay or perhaps another type of ceramic drum. In the meantime I found out about a drum circle which meets once a month at the beach nearby, the next meeting is July 10th. I also learned of someone who gives drumming lessons.

I've decided to start out making ceramic rattles, and I already have one made with sgraffito. I'll take a photo tomorrow to show you. After I do some research I'll try to make a ceramic drum. Don't worry I'm still making floral related ceramic pieces too.

Follow this link to a page with videos of several different styles of tongue drums being played, worth a listen. I like the tone of the wood tongue drums the best, but the videos show some drums made from metal and even one made from a propane bottle. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

The first photo was borrowed from Steve Roberts' site. There is a lot of information about tongue drums and he also plays and makes tongue drums.

The second photo was borrowed from Hardwood Music Company, click on the link for many examples of wood tongue drums.

Hole In His Head

A pinch pot turned itself into this sculpture I'm calling stone man. The head was thick and I didn't want to hollow it out so I poked a hole in his head. He could be used as an incense holder or a pen holder. He's about four inches tall.


He has his mouth open and is about to say something; I'm not sure what, but it will come to me eventually. Gary said he looks like he came from Easter Island, so I had to read all about the culture and history of the island. When I read about the Moai, I saw what Gary meant. I'd love to visit Easter Island, some day hopefully. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Fava Beans

I have a confession to make. Ever since I heard Anthony Hopkin's line in the film, The Silence of the Lambs, I've wanted to try fava beans, minus the liver of course.



I've never tried them before, but this week I saw fresh fava beans at the grocery so I bought a small packet of the beans.


Fava beans are a lot like clay. There are many steps to produce the end result. One becomes so involved along the way, one can easily forget where one is headed. First remove each fava bean from the outer shell.


Next blanch the beans in boiling water for three minutes. Immediately remove the beans from the hot water and immerse them in ice cold water to stop the cooking process. When cool slip each bean out of it's skin. Saute some garlic with butter and olive oil, when lightly browned, add the beans and some fennel seed and saute for another five minutes.


After all the shelling and skinning there weren't many beans to eat. Like clay it's all about the process, shape, texture, color, and a little taste. The better to woo my honey, I served them with some Camelot chardonnay, instead of the nice Chianti. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Pinching and Slipping

Fooling around with pinching and slipping again today. We finally had a good soaking rain of more than two inches and last night I noticed there were lots of fireflies out.


I've used Florida clay slip and porcelain slip on these first two. I've made these really thin consequently this one tore apart on one side so I left it that way.


I'm using black and chartreuse slip on the next two. I decided to put a surprise in the bottom of each of these two bowls.





Back to work for me. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Give It A Chance

New Leaves

Early this Spring we decided to transplant a huge Carolina cherry in our yard. It was growing right up against a sycamore tree. I felt like it was taking all the energy from the sycamore and the sycamore was suffering ill effects.

The Carolina cherry was about 15 feet tall and we had to cut a huge tap root to get it out of the ground. Most of the rest of the rootball was intact. We moved it over next to our storage shed thinking it would provide a bit of shade there. These Carolina cherry trees are the ones which provide berries to the robins in the late winter before they migrate north.

Transplanted Carolina Cherry
with lots of new leaves coming out

After we transplanted the Carolina cherry and staked it well, it lost almost every single leaf within a week. Gary told me he didn't think it was going to make it. I said just keep watering it three or four times a day and give it a chance.

Uncrowded Sycamore Tree

This week the Carolina cherry tree started putting on all kinds of new leaves. We're so happy it's going to make it. Sometimes the resilence of nature truly amazes me.

Totally Pinched

The look of this clay in the greenware state mesmerizes me. The color is soft and warm and the shape somehow comforting. I wish I didn't have to fire this piece; I wish it was finished now. I used one lump of clay, so it's totally pinched. Come to think of it, I'm totally pinched, but happily, in the grip of clay.


Sometimes the stem is too soft to hold up the weight of the bowl right after I make it. So I use my pinch bowl holder. A dry sponge balanced on top of a container will let the bowl hang freely till the stem hardens up a bit. I wrap the bowl with soft plastic, but leave the stem exposed a while, usually fifteen minutes to half an hour. Then I carefully remove the piece, set it upright, and cover it to dry in the cabinet.


A posey of flowers placed inside could drape nicely over the wavy edge; a fruit compote could be shared by two. Maybe I'll make a couple of spoons. Thanks for reading and for all your comments and encouragement.

Slipping Up

There was some slipping up in the studio yesterday, on some flowers that is. I put down one color of slip and then drizzled another color and combed or brushed through it haphazardly to see what I'd come up with. Sometimes I have to play around with the clay and techniques to see how things will turn out. These colors will change after firing, so we shall see. Black and white would have made a nice contrast, but I am out of the white stoneware for now.

When I was a kid we had tumblers and each had a different color, so why not for bowl sets. For the patterns above that I like I'll make larger bowl sets with one pattern and the same color. I could also make sets with the same color and a different pattern. So many possibilities.

In other news, one of my photographs will be used in a TV documentary in Texas; they contacted me via a phone call from my blog. So be sure to have your contact information listed on your blog, because you never know who may want to contact you. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Whimsy Crept In

Last night I set out to make something completely different and somehow whimsy crept in. I've been trying to keep myself from going off on tangents, but you know how I am. I'm hoping to stick with floral related pieces. There's a flower on the lid so I guess this one counts.


My hope springs eternal sculpture found a new home. This is the only photo I have and the robin's eggs don't even show. Maybe I should have my cube in the garage while I'm unloading the kiln. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Biking in Florida

Gary found a really nice bicycle for $40 at a garage sale in our neighborhood; he likes to tell everyone he's got his new bike in the garage. They think he means a Harley and then he brings out his bicycle. But we haven't been able to find one for me yet. Hum, I'm kind of left out of the bike rides, darn, still looking though. My arms are strong from working with clay, but since I no longer garden, I need to keep my legs strong with other exercise and biking will help.

There are tons of bike trails here in Florida like the Withlachoochee Trail which goes 46 miles. Since it's a former railroad bed, the inclines and declines are very gradual. There are also many other bike trails in the state. They're improving the road outside our neighborhood and pretty soon we'll be able to ride from here and connect with the Withlachoochee and other trails. Our neighborhood is also a good place to ride. It looks flat, but according to Gary it has a lot of hills. If we get up early and ride before 7 am we can beat the heat.


After I went to the Crystal River Mounds State Park I was inspired to make a primitive looking pot. This bowl is about 5 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter. I got carried away and made it rough, cracked, and very thin. Maybe I should make a few more and do a smoke firing.


I know I've posted many photos of gopher tortoise in our yard, but I'm fascinated with these shy creatures. This is one of the smaller ones about six inches. When they finish walking around and eating, they rest on their shells with their legs splayed out. Next thing you know they almost run and make a beeline for their burrow in the ground. I read they can move up to .3 mph which is fairly fast considering they're carrying the weight of the shell around. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Stinging

It could have been a stinging experience, but luckily it wasn't. The other day I was in the garage glazing pottery. I reached for this moon bowl to refresh my memory of how the glass had melted. As I looked inside I saw this scorpion and immediately jumped back.

I wondered how the scorpion got in the bowl and why he chose this bowl. Perhaps he thought the blue was water and he wanted to go for a swim. Perhaps the bowl was nice and cool and he took refuge from the heat. At any rate he was carried out and deposited in the grass. My words of wisdom for this week are: careful what you reach for. Thanks for reading and for your comments.